March 4, 2011

Gold Seal Awarded

SALISBURY -- Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC), through the work of its Guerrieri Heart and Vascular Institute and Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Center teams, has again been awarded Joint Commission Gold Seal Approval, Disease-Specific Certification in Total Hip & Knee Replacement Surgery and in the Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) or heart attack. Both services received a “perfect score” from evaluators who indicated no requirements for improvement. The...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You might feel more encouraged about changes in your personal and/or professional life. However, it might be best not to rush things but rather work with them as they evolve. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): The Bovine's business sense is especially keen this week. But remember that it's always best to investigate before investing. Make sure there are no hidden factors that can rise up later on. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Working on a family project could create...READ MORE

Things I Like

The movie, 'The Kids Are Alright' A man with a cane Bananas and peanut butter A great clothing sale Losing to my son in anything Local wildlife photos Driving around Assateague this time of year Soft recessed lights Short speeches at the Oscars Panera’s green tea Throwing away junk mail ...READ MORE

SDHS Gets Field House Donation

A leadership gift of $10,000 has been made by the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club to the capital campaign for the construction of a new athletic field house at Seahawk Stadium. The fund raising campaign is a project of the SDHS Alumni Association. Above, Decatur Principal Lou Taylor, left, accepts the donation from Lou Frey, center, current club president; and Bob Russell, immediate past president of the club.  For more information and online giving opportunities to the campaign visit...READ MORE

United Way Makes Huge Donation To Senior Programs

United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore recently presented M.A.C., Inc. with $188,500 to support programs vital to senior citizens in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties. Funding will be distributed to Meals on Wheels, Alzheimer’s Services and Senior Job Training. Since 1992, M.A.C, Inc. has received $2,314,774 in United Way funding. Pictured, from left, are United Way Donor Relations Director Amy Luppens, M.A.C., Inc’s Executive Director Peggy Bradford and M.A.C....READ MORE

K-Kids Club At BES

Buckingham Elementary School in Berlin, Maryland has a K-Kids Club, the elementary school version of Kiwanis International.  The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City is the parent and sponsoring club for the K-Kids of Buckingham and donated $500 to the K-Kids on Wednesday February 23 at the weekly meeting in the Ocean Pines Community Center. Pictured are (L to R) Kiwanis Club President Roy Foreman and teachers Julie Young and Debi Wooten who are the advisors for the...READ MORE

Delmarva Hand Dancers Make Donations

The Delmarva Hand Dance Club recently dispersed its year-end charitable donations to a few organizations in the Delmarva area. Above, Club member Howard Simons presents a check to Delaware Disabled Veterans member Arthur Chrick. Below, Board member Elena Davis presents a check to Delaware Hospice’s James Prim. ...READ MORE

SES Building Math Skills

Kindergarteners at Showell Elementary School are building math skills. Above, Jasmyne Christello and Alli Leininger practice numbers and counting in math center. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

SDMS Has Multiple Winners at WOCO Tech Fest

Stephen Decatur Middle School had a number of winners at the Worcester County Tech Fest held at Worcester Technical High School last month. Above, eighth graders Mitchell Cooper, left, and Chase Merritt are pictured with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Andes.  Their project, "Name That Tune" was a multimedia SMART Board presentation and won a Gold Award. Below, eighth graders Jennah Lupiwok, left, and Brooke Davis are pictured with Andes. Their project, "Six Ways to Eat an...READ MORE

DAR Essay Competition

Worcester County 2011 winners in the Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Essay Competition and the Christopher Columbus Competition were Worcester Preparatory School students, front from left, Halie Murray-Davis, Grades 9-12 Christopher Columbus winner; Mark Wilson, Grade 8 History Essay Winner; Regan Shanahan, Grade 7 Historic Essay Winner; Jordan Welch, Grade 6 Historic Essay Winner; and Colton Edmunds, Grade 5 Historic Essay Winner. Awarding the student medals and certificates were...READ MORE

Environmental Experience At BIS

The Beyond Afterschool Academy’s "Environmental Experience" group at Berlin Intermediate School learned all about birds and owls in February. Above, Caroline Cardamone, Emily Malinowski and Kelsey Dunlap dig right in to investigate the owl pellets. ...READ MORE

OCES Studies Worcester County

First grade students at Ocean City Elementary School recently visited Delmarva Discovery Center and The Sturgis One Room School Museum to learn about the cultural and natural heritage of Worcester County. Pictured by the beaver house at the Delmarva Discovery Center are Philip Rittersbacher and Graham McCabe. ...READ MORE

Rubik's Cube At SDHS

Stephen Decatur High School senior Anne Winters models a Rubik's Cube costume to advertise the math department's upcoming Rubik's Cube competition on Thursday, March 10 ...READ MORE

Artist Timeline

Hanna Beck, from Showell Elementary, is proud to share a timeline she created about a famous artist. ...READ MORE

Student Of The Month Luncheon

Ocean City Elementary School honored the February Students of the Month with a luncheon, special dessert and T-shirt sponsored by Conner's Beach Cafe.  Pictured, at right, first row, are first grade honorees Leela Bacon, Henry Brous, Emily Peters, Patrick Fohner, Meredith Eitel and Linkin Harrison; second row, second graders Maddy Kiesewetter, Noah Selt, Brooks Travers, Samantha Cummings and McKayla Staley; third row, third grade honorees Miles Thompson, Leonard Williams, William...READ MORE

Experts Agree Now Not Ideal Time To Jettison Munis

OCEAN CITY -- To many investors in higher tax brackets, high credit quality municipal bonds have long represented one of the safest and most reliable sources of tax-efficient income they can own. That's part of the reason why the recent volatility in the muni market is so unsettling. With investors reacting nervously to media reports about the mounting budget crises in California, Illinois and elsewhere, municipal bond prices dropped 4.5% in the last quarter of 2010. That may not sound so...READ MORE

Things To Do

Ongoing: OP Players Auditions For Female Verision Of The Odd Couple The Ocean Pines Players will stage Neil Simon’s Odd Couple at Carousel Hotel & Oceanfront resort on June 10-12 and 17-19. The cast needs 6 women and 2 men who can speak with a Spanish accent, age 30-55. Experienced actor, backstage help needed. To schedule an audition, 410-208-0747, 410-250-0544 or 410-641-8173. March 4-5: Opportunity Shop Open 8 a.m.-noon, Whatcoat United Metho-dist Church, 100 W. Federal St., Snow...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where And When

Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, March 4: TBA Saturday, March 5: TBA Monday, March 7: DJ Wax 3-7 p.m. Charlie’s Bayside Restaurant 302-539-3526 Rte. 1 & Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island   Friday, March 4: Chris Button & Joe Mama, 9 p.m. Saturday, March 5: Ginger Featuring Nancy Micciulla & Mike Curry, 9 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, March 4 & Saturday, March 5: New Censation Dr.Unks Bar...READ MORE

Body Found Behind Mall

OCEAN CITY -- An investigation is ongoing this week into the discovery of a body found behind the Gold Coast Mall last Thursday. Around 5:35 last Thursday, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) responded to the area of 115th Street near Gold Coast Mall for a reported CPR in progress. OCPD officers responded and determined an unidentified 47-year-old West Chester, Pa. man had been deceased upon their arrival. The OCPD Criminal Investigation Division and the department’s Forensic Service...READ MORE

Hollowell, Ayres Claim State Titles

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity indoor track team enjoyed a successful Class 3A state championship meet last weekend, returning with two state titles including a three-peat by one highly decorated Seahawk. Decatur competed in several events in the state Class 3A meet last weekend at the Prince George’s County Athletic Complex and came home with two individual state championships. Senior Bradley Hollowell won the state pole-vaulting title for the third straight year, culminating a...READ MORE

Seahawks Just Miss Swim Title

BERLIN- One week after dominating at the state regional meet, Stephen Decatur’s varsity swimming teams turned in strong performances at the Class 4A-3A state championship meet with the boys’ team finishing second overall and collecting four individual titles. Decatur’s boys’ team won the state regional meet two weeks ago and took that momentum into the state championship meet at the University of Maryland last weekend. The Seahawks finished second overall with 282.5 total...READ MORE

Decatur Cagers Bail Out of Regionals

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity basketball teams each bailed out of the first round in their respective state Class 3A-East region tournaments this week, bringing closure to topsy-turvy seasons for both squads. The Decatur boys fell to Bayside Conference rival James M. Bennett, 64-48, on Monday, ending a 8-15 campaign this winter. The Seahawks led briefly, 9-8, in the second quarter before the Clippers went on a 7-0 run to take the 15-9 lead and control of the game. Bennett led 22-16 at...READ MORE

Three Wrestlers Head to State Meet

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s highly decorated varsity wrestling team is sending three wrestlers to the state Class 4A-3A state championship meet after another successful run in the regional meet last weekend. Decatur’s Seth Goggin finished second overall in the 125-pound class in the regional meet last weekend, falling to champion Nathan Kraisser of Centennial in the final match. Goggin defeated Wilde Lake’s Ethan Trinh and North County’s Larry Brent to reach the...READ MORE

Decatur's Hollowell

Stephen Decatur senior Bradley Hollowell won his third straight state championship in the Class 3A meet last weekend, hitting the 15-foot mark in his final vault. Seahawk Cordonte Ayres also won a state championship in the 300M. Pictured above, Hollowell poses with his pole atop a sign at the school recognizing his achievement. Submitted photo ...READ MORE

Beach Lacrosse Fundraisers on Tap

BERLIN- In conjunction with its ongoing registration drive to the 2011 season, the Beach Lacrosse Program has two major fundraising events on tap in the coming weeks. Beach Lacrosse, a volunteer organization that has been around for 18 years and has introduced thousands of young local players to the game including many now playing in high school and college, is currently nearing the home stretch for registration for the 2011 season and has several fundraisers planned in order raise money for...READ MORE

Ocean City Golf Club Announces Hire

BERLIN- The Ocean City Golf Club this week announced the hiring of Mike Salvio as the new golf course superintendent. Salvio, a certified golf course superintendent, the highest designation in the business, comes to the venerable old Ocean City Golf Club in South Point from similar previous experiences at Glen Riddle and Nutter’s Crossing. According to Ocean City Golf Club general manager Buddy Sass, Salvio has a reputation for being able to “stretch a dollar” while producing...READ MORE

Charges Filed For Resort Bomb Threat

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office last week filed charges against a resort resident believed to have been deported to Mexico for allegedly manufacturing a destructive device and using it to threaten and terrorize other individuals on Facebook. In January 2008, Ocean City police arrested an individual known as Ernesto Garcia-Bristo for driving in Maryland without a license. Garcia-Bristo was placed on probation and fined, but recent information obtained by U.S. Immigration...READ MORE

Wicomico Council Puts Off Bennett Middle Project

SALISBURY -- The Wicomico County Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to remove building a new Bennett Middle School (BMS) from the 2012 budget and instead pushed it back to 2013. The decision was met with mixed reactions, both within the council and from the audience, a large portion of which were parents of students in the Wicomico County school system. “This has put the county in a very difficult position,” Council President Gail Bartkovich said of the debate over keeping Bennett in the...READ MORE

WOC Man Again Charged With Trying To Run Over Person

WEST OCEAN CITY -- A local man with an apparent penchant for attempting to run over people with a vehicle was allegedly up to his old tricks this week when he nearly drove over another man during a drug deal in West Ocean City. Around 2:10 a.m. on Monday, Maryland State Police (MSP) responded to a 911 call reporting a suspect that had hit two parked cars at the Lake Haven Trailer Park on Gray’s Corner Rd. MSP troopers learned through the investigation a suspect, later identified as Alan...READ MORE

Salisbury Council Okays Bid To Purchase Fire Rescue Boat

SALISBURY – The Salisbury City Council voted this week to approve a bid close to $1 million for the purchase of a fire rescue boat to insure Salisbury’s busy port and its surrounding waterways of safety. The Salisbury Fire Department (SFD) recently made an official request for the purchase of a Fast Response Fire/Rescue Boat. According to Fire Chief Jeff Simpson, the current department watercraft asset has limited capability and was not designed to meet the host of complex...READ MORE

Wicomico Tourism Impact Estimated At $9.2 Million

SALISBURY -- While admitting minor issues with collecting room taxes from some hotels and worries over rising gas prices, the Wicomico Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism (DRPT) delivered an overall positive report to the County Council Tuesday. According to the report, tourism made a $9.2 million impact on the county this year, with estimates for next year already in the approximately $12 million range. “The numbers speak for themselves,” stated DRPT’s Mike...READ MORE

Ocean City Seeking More County Funds

SNOW HILL -- Representatives for the five major municipalities in Worcester County got a chance to make specific requests for grant funding from the County Commissioners Tuesday for the coming fiscal year. While most were content asking the county to match its funding from the previous year, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan requested a significantly larger grant than last year. Meehan said he was in agreement with the other representatives in recognizing the scarcity of resources in the county, and...READ MORE

Partners To Open Berlin Cigar Lounge

BERLIN -- The preparations for the grand opening of “John’s Premium Cigars” are almost complete. Despite minor construction still underway at the store, which will feature a smoking lounge in addition to a walk-in humidor, it’s still on track for a March 11 opening in Berlin. “Things are coming along,” said Jaime McDonald, one of the owners of the store. According to McDonald, he and his partner Jeb Deickman have been discussing opening a cigar store for a...READ MORE

The Adventures In Fatherhood

Among the many perks of raising young kids is the bizarre randomness that comes with the journey. The young mind is a funny thing, and it’s not lost on me. Maybe all children at the age of my oldest son, Beckett, a couple months shy of 3 years old, are like this, but this kid never stops talking, and he’s worth listening to because you just never know what’s going to come out of his mouth. His comments are funny on so many fronts, but mainly because they are incredibly...READ MORE

What Others Are Saying

Offshore Wind Power Gaining Speed Ideas about offshore windmills in the Atlantic Ocean have been blowing around for years. But now, detailed coastal wind projects are being planned as our nation gets serious about Atlantic offshore wind power. Maryland and Virginia are both investigating ways to start a wind industry; a bill under consideration in the Maryland legislature would require power companies to buy electricity from offshore wind suppliers. Up to six gigawatts-worth of offshore wind...READ MORE

Between The Lines

In asking for a refund from the state for a fine it paid voluntarily last year, the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County (LCB) seems to be revealing a reckless disregard for its perception, which is not exactly pristine at the moment. The LCB’s request this week was widely discounted as a desperate last act and one that clearly irked Comptroller Peter Franchot, who has been blunt in his criticism of the LCB since they were found last year to be in violation of several state laws...READ MORE

County School Board Punishing Bus Drivers

Editor: The following letter concerns The Dispatch article last week about the Worcester County Board of Education clarifying bus standards. First off, a little history lesson. About 10 years ago, when the General Assembly passed new regulations allowing all school buses on the lower shore to be used for a total of 15 years, the current administration opposed it vehemently. Amid much debate and with all concerns aired, the General Assembly rightly decided that any safety issues had been...READ MORE

Council Reduces City Pay Scales For New Hires

OCEAN CITY – The mayor introduced the idea to reduce current town employees’ maximum pay scale this week in order to reduce the resort’s payroll expenses, but the majority of the City Council held off on his proposal. A couple of weeks ago, the Mayor and City Council narrowed down the percentage of decrease in newly hired town employees’ pay scale. At that time, the council reviewed a few options of pay scale decreases and one option stood out from the rest. City Manager...READ MORE

Probe Sparks Condo Management Concerns

OCEAN CITY -- An ongoing local and possible federal investigation into the alleged mishandling of money for various resort area condominium associations, at best, and fraud and embezzlement at worst, has left some area associations scrambling to recoup their depleted funds. Bill Scott, president of Scott and Company, Inc., a full-service public accounting firm based in Berlin that also handles property management for various condominium associations in the resort area, is currently under...READ MORE

WOC Standoff Ends Peacefully

WEST OCEAN CITY -- A West Ocean City man was charged with assault, false imprisonment and other charges this week after a nearly two-hour standoff at his home on Wednesday resulted in one of the largest mobilizations of local law enforcement and emergency services manpower and equipment in recent memory. Around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported domestic assault in progress on Blue Marlin Drive in West Ocean City. The initial investigation...READ MORE

Liquor Control Board Wants Fine Refund

OCEAN CITY -- Questions about who has authority over the Worcester County Liquor Control Board (LCB) has the beleaguered agency looking for a refund of the $16,000 settlement it paid in lieu of a suspension last fall, but the state comptroller has essentially told the LCB not to expect a check in the mail any time soon. Following a state audit and an investigation by the Comptroller’s Office Field Enforcement Division through much of last summer, the Worcester County LCB paid the...READ MORE

Voters Narrow Salisbury Election Field

SALISBURY -- The field of candidates for three open Salisbury City Council seats was narrowed to six this week after Tuesday’s primary election although the results remain unofficial pending the counting of absentee ballots. Salisbury’s City Council will get a dramatic makeover after the General Election in April with has many as three new faces on the five-member elected body, but the first step in the potential upheaval began with Tuesday primary in the non-partisan election. The...READ MORE

Council Votes 3-3 On New Golf Marketing Strategy

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission held separate meetings this week to discuss a few items surfacing in town. Tourism Director Deb Turk and Eagles Landing Golf Pro Bob Croll presented the Mayor and City Council with a new marketing plan to enhance Ocean City for its golf courses and as a destination. The strategy would set aside an amount of money from the golf marketing budget to be used as a match with golf packagers. The packager would have the...READ MORE

School Board Presents Spending Plan To County

SNOW HILL -- During this week’s Worcester County Commissioners meeting, the Board of Education presented its annual budget request to the commission as well as asking for funds to relocate temporary classrooms. Also, March was designated by proclamation and representatives from Coastal Hospice updated the assembly on plans for its newest proposed location in Berlin. School Budget Presented Worcester County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes and Board of Education President Bob Hulburd...READ MORE

Commissioners Blast Governor’s Septic Bill

SNOW HILL -- More than one Worcester County Commissioner has labeled House Bill 1107, which deals with “Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Protection,” as one of the worst bills they’ve ever seen. However, one commissioner cautioned that the bill was only being pushed forward in an attempt to distract attention away from a much more harmful bill waiting on the sideline. “Obviously, there are a number of problems I see with the [Sustainable Growth] bill,” said...READ MORE

Bike Week Organizer Addresses Concerns

OCEAN CITY – Amidst concerns it’s migrating away from the resort area, the organizer of Delmarva Bike Week tried to clear the air this week and lay out exactly what’s on tap for the fall event. Delmarva Bike Week is returning in September with four out of their past five venues, including Seacrets, Winter Place Park, Perdue Stadium and Harley Davidson of Seaford, which is the event’s main sponsor. According to Bruce Bennett of Delmarva Bike Week, the event is in the...READ MORE

All-Wood Option For Boardwalk Tops Online Poll

OCEAN CITY – The poll gauging public sentiment on the Boardwalk’s future is close and now a public hearing will be held before the City Council makes the final decision. The poll ended with the all-wooden board surface receiving 9,774 votes, 50.63 percent of the votes. Council President Jim Hall said yesterday he is pleased with the poll results because he has always favored the all wooden board surface. “I am not surprised,” Mayor Rick Meehan said on Thursday as well....READ MORE

Tri-County Council Scores Major Grant

SALISBURY -- The Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore this week scored a significant federal grant worth over $850,000 from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the development of a Regional Workforce and Business Development Center in Salisbury. The “one-stop shop” project will house a business incubator, workforce training classrooms, career technology laboratory, conference room and career resource library. The facility is...READ MORE

‘Home Of The Brave’ Offers Respite For Area Veterans

BERLIN -- Far from the hot spots in Afghanistan and Iraq where American servicemen and women are still very much in harm’s way is a peaceful, idyllic setting not far from downtown Berlin where some can decompress and relax with their loved ones when they return. The “Home of the Brave,” a quiet, relaxing residence on a piece of property carved out of a vast family farm in the Berlin countryside, recently started hosting U.S. combat veterans returning from deployment in war...READ MORE

Dew Tour Decision Is Unknown

OCEAN CITY – The town still waits in suspense for the decision of whether the Dew Tour will be held in Ocean City or Virginia Beach. Rumors circulated this week that Dew Tour officials had decided on Ocean City for a summer stop. On Wednesday, Tourism Director Deb Turk dispelled those rumors. “We’re still waiting to hear about the Dew Tour,” Turk told the Economic Development Committee (EDC). “We’re competing with Virginia Beach, but we feel pretty strongly...READ MORE